Yesterday was the Topshop Unique AW12 fashion show which showed at London Fashion Week, day 2! I've been keeping a close eye on their
inspiration and the
making of the garments, which led to me having to do a full fashion report, how could I resist? Topshop
is the leading high street brand in the world, so how could I not do a full report on their Topshop Unique collection! I won't keep you waiting any longer, here you go...
The Topshop girl is all grown up, with mature silhouettes, fabrics and aesthetics. But leave all notions of prim at the door, because this is grown-up dressing like you've never seen before! Topshop found their inspiration from uniform in all its guises. So military came to the fore, but also urban uniform dressing, like peaked caps, exposed zips and boots for stomping.
They dreamt the collection up as a stream of pieces to be seen on the runway and worn on the street.
To a soundraack that spanned TLC, Roxy Music, MIA and Azelia Banks,the show was a blast of new season style. Pyjama dressing was key in their in-house designers had matched top to bottoms on several levels. Liquid-looking silk trousers billowed around legs, while velvet dungarees sat atop, the most beautiful hand knitted jumpers that screamed exquisite taste. Modest midi skirts were slashed to the thigh and kilts took a cool turn, belted at the hip and worn with a nonchalant swagger. Burnt orange hotpants on swinging hips were opulence personnified, while workwear pieces and outsized coats nodded to the team's military aspirations. Accessories told a strong story with large, functinal bags tucked under the models' arms and peaked hats piolting the way for headgear next autumn. The incredible team behind Unique created a standout collection of pieces that you instantly want to get in your wardrobe. Cute, spangled dresses, perfect pleats, motif jumpers, silk shirts and waffle textured jersey - I'm struggling to wait a whole season for it to land!
And let's take a moment and talk footwear and handbags! Spike-heeled boots with tough rubber soles - an update to brothel creepers that I can't wait to wear. Longer-length boots stopped halfway up the knee with riding style tabs on either side. I've seen equestrian chic, been there and done it but this was something fresh, somethng new. These were boots with an edge. And as for the handbags, they were super luxe! I was super crazy for the rucksacks and oversized totes that the models clutched under their arms with a cooler-than-cool-girl air that I'll be emulating come next season.
WATCH THE VIDEO HERE.
And as for the backstage part...
The Topshop team got to Unique bright and early. Backstage was a hive of activity; unpacking boxes of clothes, assembling clothes rails, lining up the model boards and making all the last minute stitching and steaming adjustments to the collection. As soon as the models arrived the mayhem really began, with Sam McKnight briefing in his team of hairdressers to perfect the glossy bed-head look, and make up maven Hannah Murray teaching her fleet of assistants how to get a strong brow and that lovely dewy complexion.
Oh and who was front row?
Olivia Palermo, Alexa Chung, Pixie Geldof, Jameela Jamil, Nicola Roberts, Poppy Delevigne, and more, that's who. There couldn't have been a better front row if they tried! They were all very excited to see what the design team had to offer for AW12.
And before you go anywhere, check out that café...
Boy o' boy, Topshop really had an amazing show, hoped you enjoyed all the photo's, speak soon!
